Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I couldn't get into this one like I had hoped. It felt too teenagerish for me. Reminded me of the YA shows I'd watch on the CW or Freeform. It has a lot of great reviews so take mine with a grain of salt.

Reading this I felt like I was transported back to the early 2000s following the actors of my favorite over acted teen drama. I was immediately sucked into Ivy's world of petty scandal and harsh critics, and I loved the dual timelines of young Ivy in the spotlight vs the current struggling Ivy of today after Hollywood spit her out. As the murders of the present day came to light, I found myself trying to piece together the truth with Ivy, but that ending reveal had me shocked in the best way possible. All those years and it was there in plain sight all along, terrifying!

Highly recommend this read!

Ivy Westcott wanted nothing more than to be a famous actress and to be surrounded by people who loved her as much as she loved them. After being thrust into the limelight in the leading role of a teen drama, she found herself struggling with the constant paparazzi presence and the vicious comments online. When a costar dies, Ivy leaves LA, seemingly blacklisted from the world of acting, and with no one on her side but her mother. When she's invited to the ten year anniversary of her hit show, she starts to realise that she had been doomed from the start. And soon, all kinds of secrets come into the light.

This was such a great book. It really shows the side of fame that so many people don't get to see. While we all see the drama on our TVs, we don't always see the drama behind the scenes. We don't see how the constant scrutiny can become too much for those in the limelight, and just how quickly public opinion can turn against them.
It was a thrilling read, and I couldn't get enough of it. There were plenty of twists, and I truly didn't see that ending coming.
Another great book from this author.
Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Ivy Westcott was the lead on the hottest TV show ten years ago but after a tragedy, she lost her friends and acting career. A celebrity expose it out bring back old memories and a new death. The story goes back and forth on what happened during the season and Ivy tries to figure out who her friends are. Great read.

🎬 BOOK / REVIEW 🎥

Guess who's back, back again?!

It's none other than the most lovely @sbaileybooks - who is getting ready to release her newest #thriller called #hellojuliet (publishing April 29 by #thomasandmercer ... thank you so much for my #gifted copy @blondethrillerbooklover @thrillerbookloversthepulse and for having me #ontour!!)

Given all that is going on in Hollywood these days, this was a very interesting and timely read. If you loved growing up watching shows like Full House and Gossip Girl, I think you would love this. It gives a searing behind the curtain look at just how jealousy and greed can make people do INSANE things - especially when fame and money are involved.

Add in a mysterious death, high tensions, and a whole lot of nostalgia, and you'll get right to the heart of this novel. It's fast-paced and definitely kept me engaged throughout. It's a popcorn thriller, so that enhanced overall character and plot building for me.

So excited to see what comes next from Sam ... I always love what she produces. Keep a look out for this on sale in a few months!

Samantha M. Bailey's fourth thriller is just as captivating and suspenseful as her first three. I had no idea where things were going or how they were going to end up and I was constantly surprised by everything that was revealed. I'm still going over it in my head and trying to piece everything together!

If you ever wanted to be famous, Hello, Juliet is definitely a cautionary tale. The paparazzi are relentless and they will spin every story however they want, even if it's far from the truth. This novel starts with Ivy (who played the lead character, Juliet, on a TV series ten years ago) showing up for a reunion of the TV series she was on and finding something she was not expecting to see. This leads to a whodunnit and goes back and forth in time to piece together the mystery. We learn about what it was like for Ivy to be on this new teen drama show and her connection with her fellow castmates. Eventually, some factors lead to the demise of the show and Ivy is the one bearing the brunt of the blame. Fast forward about ten years and there's this mystery to solve. Ivy is not sure who she can even trust anymore and it's not the reunion she was expecting to have with her castmates.

Overall, a really well done suspenseful story. If I couldn't guess the outcome, I don't think you will be able to either. Just buckle up for a very bumpy ride!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Ivy: Gracie Lawrence
Lauren: Cassie Randolph
Jesse: Callum Kerr
Caleb: Kyle Allen
Mack: Victor Webster
Elizabeth: Linda Cardellini
Detective Tanaka: Fiona Rene
Rachel: Jenna Dewan

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TW: suicide, substance abuse, attempted murder, death of a friend

What a ride!! If you are looking for angst, drama and suspense, Hello, Juliet has it all. Ivy is a wonderfully strong main character, who has all the attributes that make you want to mother her. I loved how the dual timelines wove together to give you a complete picture. I absolutely couldn’t have imagined this ending and what a shock it was! I highly recommend this if you are into trying to figure out if the bad girl really IS bad.

Everyone over at @thrillerbooklovesthepulse LOVES us some Samantha M. Bailey (myself included) and cannot stop raving about this one. It's probably my favorite read from her.

This one gripped me from page one as soon as Ivy is stepping onto the lot to meet about a possible reunion of Hello, Juliet. This one had me gasping! Filled with unreliable narrators, which I love, a dual timeline, and all the twists! It had me on the edge of my seat up until the end, which got me! I was not on the right track and I love when that happens.

Ivy was virtually an unknown when she gets the lead role in a teen show (think 90210 type show) called Hello, Juliet. The four main stars form strong friendships. Until something happens and the show abruptly ends. The dual timeline gives us some excellent behind the scenes from back then, and the current day has us going along with Ivy to see about a possible reunion.

I don't want to tell more, because you do not want this one spoiled. But trust me, you want to read this one!!

Thanks to Thriller Book Loves, Samantha M. Baily and Thomas and Mercer for an eARC of this one! I can't wait for release day!

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

Hello, Juliet By Samantha M. Bailey
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(4.5 ⭐ - Rounded Up To 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

Oh my goodness, did I love this book! Hello Juliet is a salaciously delicious domestic thriller about the rise (and fall) of Hollywood starlets and a peek behind the curtain at the lengths of what some will do for fame and success.

It was so exciting to be a part of this gorgeous cover reveal with Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, and it was even more exciting to be a part of this book tour because everyone is enamored with this read!! And with very good reason!

Hello, Juliet is a melodramatic TV show about teenagers with a cult-like following, even before its television debut. Fans can't get enough of the show's stars and the internet is abuzz with praises - and vitriol - about these actors, actresses, and everyone involved with the show's production. [Picture the mass fandom of shows like Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek, Laguna Beach... You get it.] The story focuses on the show's stars: Ivy, Lauren, Jesse, and Caleb, as well as its producer, Mack. Some are America's sweethearts, some fall victim to the internet's trolls and hatred, and others simply don't survive.

This book features so many things I love: dual timelines, a mixed media style of writing, and unhinged characters. Chapters alternate between narratives and excerpts from a Behind-The-Music style documentary about what REALLY happened with the demise hit TV show and its stars. The book begins with an unexpected death and becomes a whodunnit mystery across two timelines as the reader tries to figure out who the killer is and why he/she is killing. This one had me on the edge of my seat and captivated from the first chapter!! Give me Hollywood gossip, a whodunnit mystery, and an unreliable narrator.... And I'm here for it!

This is -- by far -- my favorite read from Samantha M. Bailey! If this cover doesn't draw you in, this storyline and its Hollywood secrets surely will! A must-read for 2025. A huge thank you to NetGalley, Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, Thomas & Mercer, and the author herself for this advanced e-copy and the invitation to be a part of this book tour!

#HelloJuliet #SamanthaMBailey #Thomas&Mercer #amazonpublishing #thrillerbookloversthepulse #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #salaciousreads #mustreads #domesticthrillers #Hollywoodthrillers #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

Ivy Westcott, a former teen drama TV star, has been struggling to make ends meet ever since her career ended under a cloud of suspicion. Her mother, always her biggest fan and constant support, is now facing health and can’t afford treatment. Determined to help, Ivy accepts a lucrative offer to film a reunion show for the popular series that abruptly ended years ago after the loss of a cast member.

Having lost touch with her former co-stars, Ivy is unsure of what to expect when she arrives at the studio. But when one of her ex-castmates is found dead, buried secrets from the past begin to surface—secrets that make no sense.

I had my predictions early on, but the twists kept me guessing throughout! I thoroughly enjoyed the unraveling of the scandalous past, skillfully woven into the present-day drama through the dual timeline narrative. Ivy’s character and her resolve to uncover the truth were truly admirable. This was an addictive thriller with a spectacular ending!

Dear, Juliet takes my top spot for favourite Samantha Bailey book!!

This book was SO GOOD! What an awesome cast of characters. I didn't know who to trust and found a reason to suspect each of them at some point throughout the story.

The second half of the book is a wild ride and that ending had me shook!!

Thriller lovers! Add this to your list for April!!

A great big thank you to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and Netgalley for this gifted e-arc.

A well-written thriller with a entertaining plot. This is high-quality thriller material and it's not all twists - no plot.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Holy Shooty Balls!!!! This book was pure perfection!

Glitzy, sinister, and jaw-dropping—this book felt like stepping onto a Hollywood stage where every shadow hides a secret, and the spotlight exposes everything.

I was completely swept away by HELLO, JULIET by SAMANTHA M. BAILEY. From the very first page, I was hooked—utterly consumed by Ivy’s story and the world she was forced to return to. The Hollywood setting was intoxicating, with its glossy façade masking so much darkness. It drew me in, just like Ivy, and wouldn’t let go.

I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters. I formed such strong feelings for every one of them—some I rooted for, others I couldn’t trust, and a few absolutely broke my heart. They felt so real, so complex, and I found myself completely entranced by their tangled relationships and the betrayals that defined them. Ivy, especially, stole my heart. Her resilience and vulnerability made her someone I rooted for so fiercely, even when the odds felt stacked against her.

The alternating timelines pulled me even deeper into the story. Seeing Ivy’s past unravel alongside the present made the tension almost unbearable—in the best way. And those social media excerpts? They hit hard, adding this sharp, chilling realism that had me glued to every page.

And the twists… I’m still not over them. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Bailey threw in another jaw-dropping twist that left me reeling. Each one was so clever, so shocking, and yet they all fit perfectly into this story.

I was totally entranced—not just by the characters, but by the entire world of Hello, Juliet. It’s glitzy, dangerous, and impossible to escape. This is one of those thrillers that will stay with me and be unforgettable, pulling me back into its orbit long after I reached the end. I can't praise this one enough-it was that good and completely mind-blowing!

Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2025

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy—I loved every second of it!

I loved this story! By far my favourite from this author thus far. This book kept me engaged from the start and the twist and the end I did not see coming! This book had a bit of a nostalgic feel for me, made me think of some shows I used to watch while I was younger, like the OC. Highly recommend!

Another banger from Samantha M. Bailey! This thriller grabs you from the opening chapter and doesn't let you go until the shocking twist. The two timelines of a group of actors coming back for a TV show reunion—only for one them to be found dead—alongside the same cast as young celebrities trying to navigate set life and fame was pure pacing genius. Bailey has solidified herself as a master of thriller with this one.

Hello, Juliet has a fun premise - Ivy was part of a teen show years ago that might be more well-known for the antics of the stars and the death of one of the foursome. She agrees to do a reunion ten years later, and another costar is found dead, sending Ivy reeling and unsure of who to trust.

I loved the way articles and social media chats were interspersed between the chapters, and enjoyed the dual POV going back to the time the show was filming. This one feels like a true popcorn thriller, bingeable and easy to read.

Ivy's character drove me absolutely insane with her immaturity. While I understand she was supposed to be very sheltered, this is a 32 year old woman who still can't figure out how to function without her mommy and man was it annoying. I also found the final answers to the mystery to be told in such a surface level way that felt like it was more about shocking the reader than about making the story make sense.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.

this was a fun and thrilling read, and i liked the plot twists. it really gave dark, mystery, teen dramas from the early 2000s, and i loved that. did not absolutely loved the MC, but that's alright - it's pretty rare for me to really love the MC usually - but i would recommend this book!

I love a good Hollywood themed thriller.
Hello, Juliet is addicting, fast paced and full of twists. Told in past and present timelines along with mixed media.
Ivy Westcott finally makes it big and lands the part of the main character in Hello, Juliet. It’s a popular teen drama series that ends way too soon with a casting fallout. Ivy gets blamed and ridiculed by fans. Years later, Ivy gets an invite to be apart of a filmed reunion. But when she arrives, no one is in the studio but the dead body of a cast mate….
Such a roller coaster ride! I could not stop reading and can definitely see why it’s getting all the buzz at Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse!

I loved this book!! Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this one.
I was hooked from the beginning and there was so much happening throughout the whole book. I enjoyed the dual timelines when Ivy was casted in the show and 10 years later. Can’t trust anyone in this book until the very end!
This book comes available on my birthday ☺️ 4/29 and you should absolutely add this to your 2025 TBR!

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey is one of those books that grabs you from the first page, and you just know it’s going to be an insanely fun ride. Bailey always delivers on twisty, fast-paced thrillers, and wow—she really outdid herself here. The story follows a reunion of former co-stars from a hit TV show, but what should be a celebration quickly spirals into a web of secrets, betrayal, and danger. No one is trustworthy, and nothing is what it seems until the very last page.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it dives into the dark side of Hollywood. It explores how the pressures of fame, the constant scrutiny, and the false promises of glitz and glam can shatter someone young and new to the industry. Bailey captures the allure and the cracks beneath the surface perfectly. The characters are layered, each hiding something—and the twists will have you questioning everyone’s motives. It’s the kind of book that keeps you guessing and gasping right up to the finale.

If you love a thriller with glamour, intrigue, and a hefty dose of betrayal, Hello, Juliet will not disappoint. It’s sharp, suspenseful, and deliciously deceptive—everything a great psychological thriller should be.